Cool Drinks, NY: Soft Cocktails at Eleven Madison Park

At Eleven Madison Park, there's a quartet of soft cocktails ($8 each) on the menu for those who prefer drinks without alcohol. Some are refreshing, familiar blends: The Madison Parksider couples cucumber, lime and sparkling mineral water while "Gingered-Ale" enhances sparkling water with ginger, lime, and demerara sugar.

But for something more unique consider the Summer Garden Soda. The menu simply states "vegetables, summer herbs, lemon," and the most predominate flavor is that of sweet tomatoes fragrant with basil, the lemon offering just a subtle citrus pucker. This seasonal drink is a light, summery yellow in color, delivering far more flavor than appearance suggests.

If I had to pick a favorite, though, it would have to be the Orange Julius (pictured above). There's a frothy, wickedly velvet top of cream, sinking into a honey sweet concoction. The light sweet scent? Orange blossom water! Sparkling mineral water gives it a gentle fizz, a childhood favorite gone all upscale.

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